belmont | Horse Racing Free Tips

Royal Flag Tops the Beldame

W.S. Farish's ascending homebred Royal Flag rallied to a convincing win in Sunday's GII Beldame S. at Belmont, her third graded stakes conquest in her last five starts.

Graduating second out by eight lengths in the Aqueduct mud in December of 2019, the chestnut repeated by nine lengths in a Gulfstream allowance/optional claimer and made it three straight with a score in a similar spot last May at Churchill. Disappointing somewhat with a distant third in the GIII Molly Pitcher S., she was a close runner-up in the GIII Shuvee S. and Lady's Secret S. before breaking through with her first black-type success in the GIII Turnback the Alarm H. at the Big A. Second by a head in the GIII Baird Doubledogdare S. making her 5-year-old debut Apr. 16 at Keeneland, she flew late to capture the Shuvee July 25 at Saratoga before running a narrow third in the GI Personal Ensign S. there Aug. 28.

Pounded down to odds-on here, Royal Flag settled in fifth as second choice and 2020 Beldame heroine Horologist dictated terms through comfortable splits of :23.97 and :48.54. Creeping closer while tipping into the clear as three-quarters went up in 1:13.03, she drifted to the center of the track as heads pointed for home, swept past Horologist just inside the eighth pole and drew clear under hand urging for a much-the-best triumph. Horologist dug in to hold off pace rival Miss Marissa for second.

“She broke really well. We were up a little bit in the race today,” said winning rider Joel Rosario. “Sometimes, when there's no speed, she can be up a little bit. It looked like she was very comfortable, and we were just waiting for the time to come out and let her do her thing. I wanted to be out [wide]. When she passes horses she can hang a little bit. I feel like if I get her away from them, she's more focused at that point. So, I stayed out there. If she has another horse there [beside her], she'll just stay there.”

“This year she's obviously taken a big step forward,” added Dan Stupp, assistant to winning trainer Chad Brown. “She's trained better than ever and she's been to all of our divisions. Everyone has done a great job of developing her. She's in peak form and Rosario gets along quite well with her. I'm sure the Farishes are thrilled with her progress as well and the black type that Chad has been able to develop into her. We'll see what's next for her. Off that race, I'm sure Chad and Mr. Farish will consider the Breeders' Cup [Distaff]. We'll get her back and see how she comes out of it, and they'll come up with a plan.”

Pedigree Notes:

One of 100 stakes winners and 50 graded stakes winners for Lane's End 22-year-old star Candy Ride, Royal Flag is the third black-type winner out of her dam, following full-brother Eagle and half-brother Catalina Cruiser, who entered stud at Lane's End last year. Sea Gull, a $270,000 purchase by Farish at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga in 2007, has an unraced juvenile full-sister to the winner named Song of the Sea and produced a colt by Quality Road this term before being bred to Into Mischief.

Sunday, Belmont Park
BELDAME S.-GII, $250,000, Belmont, 10-10, 3yo/up, f/m,
1 1/8m, 1:50.02, gd.
1–ROYAL FLAG, 123, m, 5, by Candy Ride (Arg)
                1st Dam: Sea Gull, by Mineshaft
                2nd Dam: Exclusive Bird, by Storm Bird
                3rd Dam: Exclusive Moment, by Exclusive Native
O/B-W. S. Farish (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Joel Rosario.
$137,500. Lifetime Record: GISP, 12-6-3-3, $573,020. *Full to
Eagle, GSW & GISP, $754,186; 1/2 to Catalina Cruiser (Union
Rags), MGSW, $711,100. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple
Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Horologist, 123, m, 5, Gemologist–Cinderella Time, by
Stephen Got Even. O-There's A Chance Stable, Medallion
Racing, Abbondanza Racing, LLC, Parkland Thoroughbreds,
Paradise Farms Corp. & David Staudacher; B-Holly Crest Farm
(NJ); T-William I. Mott. $50,000.
3–Miss Marissa, 123, f, 4, He's Had Enough–Ardara, by Arch.
($11,000 Ylg '18 OBSOCT). O-Cammarota Racing LLC;
B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-James T. Ryerson.
$30,000.
Margins: 4 1/4, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.70, 2.70, 17.60.
Also Ran: Gold Spirit (Chi), Zaajel, Thankful, Spice Is Nice. Scratched: So Darn Hot. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Royal Flag Tops the Beldame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Cainelli, Little’s Friendship Leads To Success With Jo Hirsch Favorite Gufo

First-time horse owner Dr. Stephen Cainelli has struck gold with multiple Grade 1-winner Gufo, the 8-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park.

The retired Cainelli, who operates under the nom de course Otter Bend Stables, is the owner and co-breeder of Gufo. Cainelli partnered with longtime friend and thoroughbred breeder Dr. John Little in the now 4-year-old Declaration of War chestnut.

During the course of their lengthy friendship, Little, an anesthesiologist, would study pedigrees, bloodlines and conformation when not practicing medicine or playing softball with Cainelli in his current hometown of San Angelo, Texas.

Little moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 2004 to establish Cave Brook Farm, where he keeps a small string of broodmares. Cainelli retired nine years later and although he was not initially interested in racing, he decided to get involved in a racehorse with his longtime friend.

“In 2013, we really started talking about it. Because I was retired, I had the freedom to go up there whenever I could,” Cainelli said. “It was just something to give me an excuse to go up there to Lexington to see him. I said to him, 'How about we breed a horse together? That'll give me an excuse to get involved'.”

But Cainelli said he did not want to be involved with just any horse. He wanted in on the best horse that Little could breed, settling on Gufo's dam Floy, a Petionville broodmare whose top progeny at the time was multiple stakes-winning turf sprint veteran Hogy.

Cainelli said they initially considered breeding Floy to Bodemeister before sending her to Declaration of War, an unproven sire at that time with no offspring of racing age.

“Bodemeister was very high on the list, but because Floy had a couple miscarriages, we were turned down,” Cainelli said. “Declaration of War was our second choice, so we went with him. When he was born, John said, 'This might be one of the best horses I've ever had'.”

Little was not the only one to sing praises on behalf of a young Gufo. Rey Hernandez, who broke Gufo at T.K. Stables in Lexington, saw ability in the horse at a young age as well.

“I've been breaking babies for a long time, and he caught my eye pretty quickly,” Hernandez said. “From Day One, he was a pretty special horse. Everything that we asked him to do, he did pretty easily. He was a very smart horse and he never misbehaved or anything like that.”

Cainelli recalled a prophetic conversation he had with Hernandez.

“He said, 'Take care of this one, he's your Derby horse,'” Cainelli said.

Hernandez was right. Gufo was in fact a Derby horse, just not the Kentucky Derby.

Gufo began his 2020 campaign with aplomb winning four straight races through the maiden, allowance, stakes and graded stakes ranks, securing his first graded win in the Grade 3 Kent last July at Delaware Park. His foreseen “Derby” victory came in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational last October at Belmont.

Cainelli credits trainer Christophe Clement for expertly placing Gufo through a consistent career thus far, never finishing off the board in a dozen starts.

“I was told to get any of the top ten trainers, and he'll win some races,” Cainelli said. “I chose Clement because we believed he was a turf horse. I was really impressed because Christophe only takes a limited number each year. He's really a hands-on trainer. He has a good record. I couldn't find anyone who didn't hold him in high regard.”

Gufo made good showings in his first pair of starts as a 4-year-old with late closing efforts in Grade 1 turf events at Belmont when second in the Man o' War and third in the Manhattan.

Clement then added blinkers and stretched Gufo out to 12 furlongs resulting in a win in the Grand Couturier on July 5 at Belmont before fending off multiple Group 1-winner Japan to capture the Grade 1 Resorts World Sword Dancer on August 18 at Saratoga.

Cainelli said both factors were agreed upon by Clement and Gufo's jockey, Joel Rosario, who has been aboard for all four starts this year.

“He always told me that he thought he was a longer distance horse – a mile and a quarter mile and a half, somewhere in that range,” Cainelli said. “Between Rosario and Christophe, they both agreed he would function much better with blinkers. They knew what they were doing. He's like a big kid. He's always been smart and he's a pretty good size. That's part of the reason they put blinkers on him – he just likes to look around.”

Through a 12-7-2-3 career, Gufo has paid back dividends for Cainelli, who has achieved millionaire status with earnings of $1,138,510.

Cainelli said he never imagined having so much success with his first horse.

“I didn't. In fact, I told my wife [Candi] that I was going to put aside a quarter million for a racehorse,” Cainelli said. “I calculated that it would take about two to three hundred thousand to breed, train, and race a horse through ages three and four. So, I put that money aside to pay expenses. But it hasn't affected anything, and I haven't had to dip into that at all.”

While the unanticipated financial success with Gufo has been exciting for Cainelli, he said his largest pleasure from this experience is continuing a longtime friendship with Little.

“It was really more of a fluke than anything else. It was done so we could strengthen our friendship, and it's done just that,” Cainelli said.

The post Cainelli, Little’s Friendship Leads To Success With Jo Hirsch Favorite Gufo appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Weekend Lineup: Keeneland’s Fall Stars Features Nine ‘Win And You’re In’ Races

Keeneland's 17-day Fall Meet kicks off with a blockbuster Fall Stars Weekend featuring 10 stakes races, including nine Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” races. The weekend stakes action also features six “Win and You're In” races from Belmont Park.

Races in this weekend's rundown are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.

TVG will feature racing from Keeneland, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices. NBC Sports will also provide coverage of this weekend's “Win and Your In” races from Keeneland.

“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live from Belmont Park on Friday, Oct. 8 on FS2 from 12:30 – 5:30 pm; on Saturday, Oct. 9 on FS2 from 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm; and on Sunday, Oct. 10 on FS2 from 12:30 – 1 pm., FS1 from 1:00-2:00 pm and on FS2 from 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, October 8

5:10 PM ET – $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Special Reserve is the 9-5 morning line favorite in a field of seven sprinters for the six-furlong Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2). The Kentucky-bred son of Midshipman is trained by Mike Maker and has won four of six 2021 starts.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100821USA8-EQB.html

5:45 PM ET – $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (Gr. 1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Two-year-old fillies are in the spotlight in the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades on the opening day of Keeneland's Fall Meet. A field of 12 is entered in the 1 1/16-mile main track Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Maryland-bred Runup is two for two on dirt after finishing third in her Colonial Downs turf debut. The daughter of Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter Runhappy won the one-mile Sorority Stakes last out at Monmouth Park for trainer Laura Wohlers. Kentucky-bred Juju's Map, a daughter of Liam's Map who broke her maiden on September 3 at Ellis Park in her second career start, is the 5-2 morning line favorite for Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100821USA9-EQB.html

Saturday, October 9

2:45 PM ET – $250,000 Vosburgh (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Belmont Park on FS2

Mr. Amore Stable's Firenze Fire will defend his Vosburgh title in Saturday's six furlongs event, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint on November 6 at Del Mar. The Florida-bred son of Poseidon's Warrior is trained by Kelly Breen. Baby Yoda, another Florida-bred, is the morning line favorite after his sharp Saratoga allowance win last out. The 3-year-old Prospective gelding stopped the clock in 1:14.33 for six and a half furlongs to mark his third win in four lifetime starts.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100921USA5-EQB.html

3:15 PM ET – $150,000 Matron Stakes (Gr. 3T) at Belmont Park on FS2

Trainer Brad Cox sends out Bubble Rock, a daughter of More Than Ready, in the six-furlong Matron over the Belmont inner turf course. The Kentucky-bred filly broke her maiden in her second career start at Saratoga on September 3 and is listed as the morning line favorite. New York-bred Dufresne faces graded stakes company for the first time following a third-place finish in the listed Woodbine Cares Stakes last month for trainer Michael Trombetta.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100921USA6-EQB.html

3:40 PM ET – $200,000 Woodford Stakes (Gr. 2T) at Keeneland on TVG

Eight-year-old Extravagant Kid, an earner of more than $1.6 million, takes on six other turf sprinters in the 5 ½-furlong Woodford Stakes (G2T). The Florida-bred gelded son of Kiss the Kid won the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) over Meydan's turf course in March and followed that with a third in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) at Ascot. Trainer Brendan Walsh's charge was unplaced last out July 10 in the Darley July Cup (G1) at Newmarket. Fellow Florida-bred Golden Pal, the 3-year-old Uncle Mo son of graded stakes-winning turf sprinter Lady Shipman, is a leading contender and won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) over Keeneland's turf course last November.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Stakes&stkid=3270

3:47 PM ET – $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (Gr. 1T) at Belmont Park on FS2

Otter Bend Stables' Gufo, winner of the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer on Travers Day at Saratoga heads the field in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, named after the esteemed writer and columnist for Daily Racing Form. The Kentucky-bred son of Declaration of War won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes last October over this course for trainer Christophe Clement. Japan (GB), a 5-year-old son of Galileo (IRE) trained by Aiden O'Brien, finished second by a nose to Gufo in the aforementioned Sword Dancer in his first U.S. start.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100921USA7-EQB.html

4:12 PM ET – $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Millionaire Bell's the One is a leading contender in the 6-furlong Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) that drew a compact six-horse field. Inthemidstofbiz looks to defend her title in the race she won as a 13-1 outsider last year.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA7-EQB.html

4:44 PM ET – $400,000 First Lady (G1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Thirteen fillies and mares are entered in the First Lady, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1). Godolphin's Althiqa (GB), winner this year of three of four starts, enters the one-mile First Lady off consecutive Grade 1 wins for trainer Charles Appleby. Kentucky-bred Princess Grace has won each of her three 2021 starts, including the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes (G3) most recently on September 11.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA8-EQB.html

5:15 PM ET – $500,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (Gr. 1-Breeders' Cup Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Thirteen 2-year-olds are scheduled to line up for the 108th running of the 1 1/16-mile Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, a Breeder's Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). Stellar Tap, a Kentucky-bred son of Tapit with two lifetime starts, was unplaced in Churchill Downs' Iroquois Stakes (G3) on September 18 after breaking his maiden going seven furlongs at Saratoga. Kevin's Folly, a Kentucky-bred Distorted Humor colt, won on debut at Saratoga and finished third in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) in his second career start on September 6.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA9-EQB.html

5:46 PM ET – $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Order of Australia (IRE) returns to the course where he was a 73-1 upset winner of last year's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). The Aiden O'Brien-trained 4-year-old colt faces 12 others, including last year's winner Ivar (BRZ), in this Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA10-EQB.html

Sunday, October 10

4:44 PM ET – $200,000 Indian Summer Stakes (“Breeders' Cup Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Ten two-year-old turf sprinters are entered in the 5 ½ furlong Indian Summer Stakes, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2). Undefeated Averly Jane, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Midshipman, is one of two fillies in the field. The Wesley Ward trainee broke her maiden in her April debut on Keeneland's main track and has yet to run on the turf. In Saratoga's Skidmore Stakes, a race moved from the turf to dirt, Averly Jane led at every pole on her way to a 7 ¼ length score in her most recent start.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101021USA8-EQB.html

5:15 PM ET – $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (Gr. 1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Letruska, winner of four races in a row and six of her last seven, stands out in this 1 1/8 mile main track Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. Included in the 5-year-old mare's current winning streak are three Grade 1s. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Super Saver began her career with six consecutive wins in Mexico and now has won 16 of 21 lifetime starts. She is currently rated behind only Knicks Go on the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll and faces six others in the 66th running of this Grade 1. This is Letruska's first start at Keeneland.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101021USA9-EQB.html

5:46 PM ET – $200,000 Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

A field of 14 is expected to start in the Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2T), a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The 1 1/6 miles turf contest for 2-year-olds attracted 16 entries, including two also-eligibles. Tiz the Bomb, a Kentucky-bred Hit It A Bomb colt trained by Kenny McPeek, is a leading contender after taking the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes last out after breaking his maiden at Ellis Park by 14 ¼ lengths in his second career start. That one-mile dirt race was originally scheduled for the turf.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101021USA10-EQB.html

1:57 PM ET – $150,000 Durham Cup Stakes (Gr. 3) at Woodbine on TVG

A compact field of five is entered in this 1 1/6 miles race over Woodbine's All Weather Track, including 2019 Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston. The Kentucky-bred son of Awesome Again has earned over $1 million in his 16-race career and most recently won a Woodbine allowance race in his only start this year. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse also entered Tap It to Win, a Florida-bred son of Tapit who exits a win in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO101021CAN3-EQB.html

2:43 PM ET – $150,000 Futurity Stakes (Gr. 3T-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Belmont Park on FS2

Eight 2-year-old turf sprinters, including two fillies, are entered in this 6-furlong Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying event for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2). Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher sends out Midnight Worker for his first turf start. The Kentucky-bred Outwork colt won his debut on the main track in a Saratoga maiden special weight and followed that with a third-place finish in Monmouth's Grade 3 Sapling Stakes, also on dirt. Chi Town Lady is two for two after taking Saratoga's Bolton Landing Stakes last out. The Verrazano filly is trained by Wesley Ward.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL101021USA5-EQB.html

3:15 PM ET – $250,000 Beldame Stakes (Gr. 2) at Belmont Park on FS2

Multiple graded stakes winner Horologist takes on seven rivals to defend her title in the 1 1/8 mile Beldame for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. The New Jersey-bred daughter of Gemologist has two wins on the year, including an easy 8 ½ length score in Saratoga's Summer Colony Stakes. She won last year's Beldame as the longest shot in a 4-horse field that included this year's distaff sensation, Letruska.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL101021USA6-EQB.html

4:21 PM ET – $150,000 Knickerbocker (Gr. 3T) at Belmont Park on FS2

Nine older horses face off in the 1 1/8 mile Knickerbocker over the Belmont inner turf course. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has two entries in En Wye Cee and No Word. The former is a Kentucky-bred son of Declaration of War that finished third in last year's Knickerbocker and has had just one start since, a third-place finish in a Saratoga turf allowance optional claiming event over the same distance. No Word, second in last year's Grade 1 Belmont Derby, exits a second place finish in the Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2) over the Saratoga turf.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL101021USA8-EQB.html

5:09 PM ET – $150,000 Ontario Matron Stakes (Gr. 3) at Woodbine on TVG

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has three entered in the six-horse field, including Skygaze, a multiple-graded stakes-placed Kentucky-bred daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. In her most recent start, Skygaze won the Belle Mahone Stakes on Woodbine's All Weather Track for her second win in three 2021 starts. Crystal Glacier, by Curlin, rallied late to finish second to her stablemate in the Belle Mahone and could be the main threat.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO101021CAN9-EQB.html

The post Weekend Lineup: Keeneland’s Fall Stars Features Nine ‘Win And You’re In’ Races appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Pletcher Sends No Word, En Wye Cee For Knickerbocker

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will saddle a formidable duo in En Wye Cee and No Word in Sunday's Grade 3, $150,000 Knickerbocker, a nine-furlong inner turf test for 3-year-olds and up at Belmont Park.

Wertheimer and Frere's homebred No Word, a 4-year-old Silent Name colt, competed in both legs of last year's Turf Triple series, finishing third in the 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Derby Invitational and second in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby.

No Word made both of his two starts this year at Saratoga Race Course, including a wide-traveling eighth in an optional-claimer in August ahead of a game second last out in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap, contested over yielding ground on September 6.

“First start back he had a bad trip and was hung out wide the whole way,” Pletcher said. “I thought he ran much better next time, but unfortunately didn't have much of a pace to run at. He ran well in spite of that.”

Out of the A.P. Indy mare Listen A.P., No Word is a full brother to multiple graded-stakes winner Silentio.

“He's a horse we always thought had graded stake ability, so we're giving it another try,” Pletcher said.

Waterford Stable's homebred En Wye Cee, a 5-year-old son of Declaration of War, finished a prominent third in last year's Knickerbocker to close out his 2020 campaign.

The lightly-raced bay, who sports a ledger of 8-3-0-4, made his seasonal debut with a third-place finish to Knickerbocker-rival L'Imperator in a nine-furlong optional-claiming tilt on August 4 over firm footing at the Spa. He was scheduled to run in the Bernard Baruch but was scratched following an afternoon rainstorm softened the sod.

“He's a consistent horse. He got a little unlucky and had to scratch with the soft turf the other day, so hopefully the ground remains firm and he gets a chance to do his thing,” Pletcher said.

Hall of Famer John Velazquez will pilot En Wye Cee from post 8, while Hall of Famer Javier Castellano will guide No Word from post 9.

Phipps Stable's homebred Breaking the Rules finished fourth as the mutuel favorite in last year's Knickerbocker.

Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, who won back-to-back editions of the Knickerbocker with Boisterous in 2012-13, the now 6-year-old Breaking the Rules will look to make the grade while making his third start of the campaign.

Following an off-the-board effort in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January at Gulfstream Park, the multiple graded-stakes placed son of War Front returned off a seven-month layoff to best Knickerbocker-rival Sacred Life in a one-mile optional-claimer contested over firm footing at the Spa.

Joel Rosario has the call from post 2.

Flying P Stable's Temple, a 5-year-old Temple City gelding, will look to go from claim-to-fame for trainer Tom Morley.

The dark bay was haltered for $80,000 out of a fifth-place finish in June at Belmont and after an off-the-board effort in the restricted Lure in August at Saratoga, Temple posted a solid one-length score in a 10-furlong optional-claiming event which garnered a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

Kendrick Carmouche picks up the mount from post 5.

[Story Continues Below]

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown will saddle Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Robert V. LaPenta's L'Imperator and Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso's Sacred Life.

A 4-year-old French-bred son of Holy Roman Emperor, L'Imperator launched his career in France winning two of four starts. He joined Brown last year and finished seventh in the Grade 3 Saranac last August in his lone sophomore start.

L'Imperator opened his campaign with a 1 3/4-length score in a nine-furlong optional-claiming tilt on August 4 at the Spa and finished an even third last out in the Bernard Baruch.

Sacred Life, a 6-year-old French-bred Siyouni ridgling, will look for his first win of the campaign while stepping up in distance from a pair of competitive efforts at one mile at the Spa, finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple in July and a closing second last out in an optional-claiming event on August 29.

Manny Franco will guide L'Imperator from post 4, while Sacred Life will emerge from post 3 under Jose Ortiz.

Rounding out the field are Corelli [post 6, Junior Alvarado], winner of the Grade 3 Singspiel in August at Woodbine; multiple graded stakes winner Field Pass [post 1, Dylan Davis]; and graded-stakes placed Epic Bromance [post 7, Jose Lezcano].

The Knickerbocker is slated as Race 8 on Sunday's 9-race which also features the Grade 2, $250,000 Beldame at nine furlongs for fillies and mares; and the Grade 3, $150,000 Futurity, a six-furlong turf test for 2-year-olds offering a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

The post Pletcher Sends No Word, En Wye Cee For Knickerbocker appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post